Foundational literacy does not end at Grade 2. Neither should our attention
The author argues that foundational literacy efforts in India should not stop at Grade 2, but must extend through Grade 5 to ensure long-term student success. The piece calls for a 'NIPUN 2.0' to address the compounding demands of higher primary education.
Why it matters
Educational policy often focuses on early intervention, but this perspective highlights the need for sustained support to prevent learning gaps from widening in later years.
Sixty years ago, UNESCO declared the first International Literacy Day. This September 8th marks the anniversary of this historic announcement. India’s five-year-old NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) Bharat mission reinforced UNESCO’s resolve: it pulled foundational literacy to the centre of national education policy with measurable, time-bound goals backed by committed financial resources.
The gains in learning from NIPUN are visible. PARAKH 2024 survey recorded a 64% national language score, up from 62% in 2021. ASER 2024 recorded that 23.4% of Grade 3 children in government schools were reading at a Grade 2 level, up from 16.3% in 2022. This needs to be celebrated.
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